Supporters of Heart of Midlothian have a certain preference for how they wish to see their club play, particularly at Tynecastle Park.
In the face of the enemy without the ball, on the offensive with it.
Even though Hearts failed in both categories, that was evident in their most recent performance against Rangers.
It is the style of play that Neil Critchley wants his squad to adopt.
During the recent Hearts Standard live event, he stated, “A team that just attacks with and without the ball, a team that takes the game to the opposition.” Going for the game is what I think Hearts is all about. This is who we are, and we are pursuing you.
Although Critchley’s rule is still young, the indicators have been encouraging. Performances and results have increased, and January acquisitions have had an effect.
One thing is apparent: Critchley wants to instill certain values in this Hearts team. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that this season doesn’t finish badly.
In fact, he calls it a “identity day,” which is often held on a Tuesday, as part of a normal training week.
Sundays are off for players on a typical Saturday-to-Saturday schedule. The squad’s later Monday start time enables the coaching staff to get there early to analyze the weekend and organize the week.
“We did this, let’s take a look at this, get this up on the screen,” Critchley continued. “So that’s for the staff to have time to just get out any frustrations or anything from the weekend.” “I want to demonstrate this to the players. I’ll talk to the defenders, you talk to the midfielders, and I’ll talk to this person.” Thus, it’s a consistent manner of operating.
Players that played on Saturday have a lighter session after a debriefing with the team prior to training. Even after recent victories of 3-2 and 6-0 over Kilmarnock and Dundee, respectively, those players are also involved in what is known as a “correction day.”
“There were a few things that I just felt we could have done better when we played Kilmarnock,” Critchley clarified.
The starting team would then accompany me, and I would lead them onto the field where I would simply go over a couple scenarios, talk to them, and seek their input. What were you thinking, you know?
Thus, it turns into a coordinated method of operation. They experience it as a part of it.
“We were really clinical and played excellent defense against Dundee, which led to a fantastic outcome. In actuality, though, the passes and possessions were fairly identical.
“And on the field, I want us to dominate.” Therefore, my goal is for us to develop into a squad that possesses the ball.
Although the nighttime conditions contributed to the game being different, that is what was practiced before St Mirren’s Scottish Cup match.
Identity days
Tuesdays are designated as “identity days,” when Hearts practice and discuss the principles of their desired style of play, regardless of the competition.
“A tactical day is what we’re aiming for. We’re attempting to strengthen our identify as a team on what we term a team-identity day,” Critchley explained.
“Anything we feel will always help us, even if it’s not necessarily working toward the weekend.”
“There has to be a way of playing that when you guys come and watch, you go, I can see what we’re trying to do,” he continued, addressing the crowd, “instead of just 11 players running around on the pitch.”
“The bus will not be parked here. We will not sit behind the ball, put every man behind the ball, and give you the ball while we wait for us to break and score. No, we’ll give it a fair shot.
And see, we may not always succeed with it. We went for the game after getting caught in the second half of our match versus Celtic.
“There might be times when we suffer a little bit when we’re going through that process,” Critchley continued.
However, I have faith that we can narrow the gap given enough time, proper training, the appropriate players, and the development of our identity.
“We might draw, lose, or win. We go and fight because it’s Hearts, but you can’t guarantee the outcome. We always go out and compete on the field.
Getting recruitment right
This entails attracting the appropriate players. The early indications are positive once more. The team has improved since the January acquisitions, despite a few snags.
The head coach wants players who can embody that identity while also overcoming all the other obstacles that Scottish football presents. Only time will tell if the five new hires end up having successful Hearts careers.
Can they, for example, do it at the SMiSA on a chilly, rainy, and windy night? “Hearts players” is what they are?
“I think the league is very competitive when I look at its standards,” Critchley remarked. Every team has a threat, and many of the players are set-piece oriented. There are some really good players. It’s challenging to defend against long throws and free kicks, you know.
Especially when the thrower of the ball takes a few yards down the line each time he gets a throw-in!
However, it’s not simple, so you also need to make sure that the team is capable of handling those kinds of games. We want to play our football and play our way, but it must be set up to support that.
Many of the games differ significantly from one another. Playing Celtic and Rangers is obviously different from some of the previous games, and your club must be ready to handle all of that.
“Even if there are twelve teams in the league, I believe there are significant differences in terms of style or type, and it presents its own problems.
Therefore, when you bring in players, you need to make sure that they can play against this team and that they are this. But can he play away here and handle this kind of game? If so, do they have the necessary personality and character?
“Are they Hearts players? I refer to them as such. Are they able to handle it and play the way we want them to at Tynecastle while also getting away to some challenging places?
Benefits of more training time
During a busy schedule after he assumed leadership, Critchley witnessed the composition of the inherited group of players.
Scottish Premiership games versus Aberdeen, one at home and one away, following trips to places like Bruges and Copenhagen.
Since his appointment in October, the team has changed, and it will continue to change now that the head coach has extra time on the training field following their Conference League exit.
Critchley has used this strategy ever since he was a youth coach for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp as the team’s first team manager.
“I was able to watch the players in action because of that busy schedule,” Critchley added.
On the field, you get to know the players. Every day at the training, you have your audition, but nothing compares to leaving. Playing on the field is the best place to learn.
“You can train as much as you like, but occasionally players will surprise or let you down. In the heat of battle, you discover something new about the players. That pressure during training is impossible to duplicate.
But for myself and the employees, the training procedure is crucial. You have to train yourself to be who you are every day, which makes it crucial. You need to train the team’s identity.
That was something I witnessed at one of my former football teams. It was amazing to work under Jurgen, see him, and learn about his methods and accomplishments with that squad. The German efficiency and comparable procedures are repeated often and change with time.
“The process of training is crucial. By creating your own atmosphere, you enable the players to feel valued, trusted, and at ease. They develop from there, and you produce that.
“I hope we’re in the early stages of it, but the games haven’t given us much time to establish that. It takes a lot of time and has only just begun. It doesn’t happen all at once.
Although there may be a delay in the results, Critchley has specific expectations for training.
“Every single day, their collective behavior, focus, desire, and intensity in training must be present,” he stated.
Since it is a non-negotiable, they could misplace a pass, miscontrol a pass, miss a goal, or trip over the ball. However, they must bring their minds to training every day because of that collective desire, behavior, and focus.
“It won’t work if you just show up, go through the motions, train, play five-a-side, and leave for home.”
Fundamentals over formation
Initially, Hearts supporters were concerned that Critchley might use a 3-5-2 formation, based on reports from his most recent stint at Blackpool.
In actuality, Critchley is not bound by any one shape; instead, his setup depends on what he has on hand. Rather, it is about always carrying out specific ideas.
He agrees with many of his admirers. Like them, he is not interested in endless back-line play or possession for the sake of possession.
“I’m a coach; I coach football,” Critchley clarified. After seeing the players in front of me, I consider what they need from me and what works best for them at the moment.
“Player-led, not formation-led, but it’s also in line with my values, and I want to see a team that is pursuing the opposition.”
Applying pressure as far away from our goal as we can, playing a high defensive line, being aggressive, pressing and counterpressing effectively, and then controlling the ball and playing with it are all important strategies.
And once more, you attack both with and without the ball.
“I understand that everyone wants to see fast-paced, aggressive, forward-thinking football, but sometimes progress isn’t possible. And I am aware that there is a pressure to advance: move the ball forward and into the penalty area.
“I can feel your tension and your nerves as well,” Critchley continued, speaking to the crowd once more. Therefore, it is our desire that you will learn to trust the team and us when we move backwards or sideways.
It’s true that the top teams possess the ball. They exude confidence and a swagger that says, “No, no, we’re going to pass, we’re going to keep the ball, and we’re going to wait.” They do this by being a little more patient and opening up the squad.
It’s boring to watch five-a-side football in their own half, and I don’t mean merely passing.
“We desire possession that has a purpose, forward-thinking, and forward-moving qualities.
In the event that you are unable to go, you may need to turn around and confront the enemy before continuing. We might need to make two or three passes back and to the side.
